Skoda has introduced a new range-topping Sportline version of its Superb, with a sharp $1000 premium compared to the 206TSI model it’s based upon.

Both liftback and sedan body styles will be offered with the Superb Sportline starting at $55,290 driveaway for the five-door and $56,990 driveaway in wagon form.

Additional equipment compared to the regular Superb 206TSI includes new-look 19-inch alloy wheels and black exterior highlights on the grille, fog light surrounds, side strips and roof rails on the wagon or boot spoiler on the sedan.

The interior receives Alcantara-trimmed sports seats and a flat bottomed steering wheel - both of which feature silver stitching - a black headliner and red highlight stripe across the dash. There's also a performance monitor within the touch screen that displays parameters such as instant power and torque readouts and engine temperatures as well as a lap timer.

All that comes on top of the lengthy list of standard equipment already in the Superb 206TSI 4x4, such as tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, LED interior lighting and an 8.0-inch colour touchscreen with sat nav, Bluetooth and smartphone mirroring.

Sportline variants can also be optioned with two extras packages that form part of the regular 206TSI range. The first is a $3400 Tech Pack that includes added safety functions like traffic jam and lane keeping assistance, self-parking and rear cross-traffic alert as well adaptive suspension, hands-free tailgate opening and a higher-grade 12-speaker audio system.

The second is a $700 Comfort Pack that brings heated rear seats and electronic adjustment for the front passenger. Metallic or pearl paint costs an extra $700 and a sunroof is an additional $1700 on the sedan or $1900 on the wagon.

The Skoda Superb Sportline is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder (the same as that in the Volkswagen Passat 206TSI) that produces 206kW and 350Nm and drives an all-wheel drive transmission through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

Skoda Australia's Managing Director, Michael Irmer, is gambling on whether the Sportline will become the default specification for the range-topping variant of the Superb on the strength of its value for money and more aggressive style. However, he is willing to let customer demand over the next 12 months decide whether the company will continue with two 206kW variants in the future.